To Be United

The First UMC of Paso Robles has been described as a unique church with an amazing heart. The people of our Methodist church are welcoming and hospitable, while being a testimony of what it is to exercise a committed and unyielding faith. We have been around since the 1840s and have continued to become a leader in the community since.

The First UMC of Paso Robles has survived the difficulties of the changing of times, as well as the earthquake that affected Paso Robles in 2003. The people in our church congregation had lost their most beloved building and found themselves without a physical building to call "home." Many other events have affected the church besides the loss of our building. However, as our congregation struggled with the question of "what now?" We started to experience a transformation, which led to the resurrection of our church.

The people who survived these trying times decided they were not going to give up on their ministry. They began to realize that the building was an inhibition to do the work Christ has called them to do. So, they decided not to commit to a building. They migrated between different sites within the city; however, they were not concerned with the constant transition. They instead focused on doing ministry in the community. As a result, they changed their name to Methodist Ministries of Paso Robles to convey their new role within Paso Robles.

The story has been re-written; as this amazing faith community focused on serving, they experienced growth in faith, as well as in membership. The difficult times had not been able to destroy what God had called into life. God used the earthquake, and the many difficulties in creating a beautiful resurrection story.

From losing the building and not having a pastor, today we have purchased and moved to our current location in Paso Robles, California. We are working towards becoming a stronger presence in the community by continuing to do our current ministries and aiming to identify the needs in the community, in which we can be the hands and feet of Christ. Our current church ministry services are with:

Homeless

Women's Shelters

Food Justice

Ecological Justice

Messy Church

Children and Youth

Institutionalized Elderly and Disabled

United Methodist Women

Life Groups

Emmanuel Tutoring Service (Free Tutoring for Middle School and High School Students)

Cancer Patients and Their Support System

Children and Youth Summer Camp

We invite you to visit us, and be part of our community. It is important for us that you know we are a welcoming community that is willing to be your companion as you journey through life. Even when you face the difficulties that appear in your life's journey, we will be with you. As we have called to be our brother's and sister's keeper, please know you do not have to do it alone. God intended us to be ligated with each other to be supportive, to love one another, and be encouraging of one another.

Vision

We believe that humans aren't designed to do life alone; we simply need each other. We will come together to celebrate Jesus in acts of Worship, whereas a community, we will express our affection to God, using our abilities to demonstrate our commitment to our faith, but also our commitment to love one another. It is our intention to be in friendly relationship with each other, as well as focusing on celebrating each other and our community through service.

To Grow

We are intentional in creating an atmosphere where all who enter can feel welcome, despite of where they are in their journey. We create a safe atmosphere where we all can learn from one another, where questions are allowed, and answers are sought through relevant Biblical teaching and life experiences. We will strive to be hospitable and grow in Christ-likeness.

To Give

We will strive to be generous with our love, our gifts, and our time, in order to make a tangible difference in our community and world.

Mission

The purpose of the United Methodist Church is to make disciples for Jesus Christ, for the transformation and healing of the world.

We follow the Holy Spirit's call to create a new type of ministry in Paso Robles, one that seeks to share our faith in Christ providing acceptance, compassion, and understanding to all.

After all, we believe we are all God's creation; therefore, our mission is not to judge, or reject. Instead, we seek to transform our community by providing a safe, judgment-free, accepting, and loving environment for all to seek and deepen their relationship with God. Despite of where you are in your journey, we want to invite you to visit us, the First UMC of Paso Robles, and rethink the church values by:

Not to be bound by tradition in the way we worship and show our gratitude to God.

To accept and celebrate human diversity - being radically inclusive in welcoming people of every color, nationality, sexual orientation, and economic status.

To believe in social justice, and support advocacy for the poor, oppressed and disenfranchised.

To strongly support environmental stewardship of the Earth.

To have a deep belief in the instructions of Jesus Christ to unconditionally love one another.

To respect people's journey and personal experience with God.

To live out these beliefs with spiritual vitality, while believing that our faith community flourishes by creating a unique worship experience by implementing diversity, and creativity.

To be at peace with the fact that we may not get it 100 percent perfect, 100 percent of the time, however, in everything we do, we will aim to be open-minded, open hearted, and to be a welcoming church for all.